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IPv6 over networks of resource-constrained nodes
charter-ietf-6lo-01

Document Charter IPv6 over Networks of Resource-constrained Nodes WG (6lo)
Title IPv6 over networks of resource-constrained nodes
Last updated 2024-03-18
State Approved
WG State Active
IESG Responsible AD Éric Vyncke
Charter edit AD Éric Vyncke
Send notices to (None)

charter-ietf-6lo-01

6lo focuses on the work that facilitates IPv6 connectivity over
constrained node networks with the characteristics of:
* limited power, memory and processing resources
* hard upper bounds on state, code space and processing cycles
* optimization of energy and network bandwidth usage
* lack of some layer 2 services like complete device connectivity and
broadcast/multicast

Specifically, 6lo will work on:

  1. IPv6-over-foo adaptation layer specifications using 6LoWPAN
    technologies (RFC4944, RFC6282, RFC6775) for link layer technologies of
    interest in constrained node networks

  2. Information and data models (e.g., MIB modules) for these
    adaptation layers for basic monitoring and troubleshooting.

  3. Specifications, such as low-complexity header compression, that are
    applicable to more than one adaptation layer specification

  4. Maintenance and informational documents required for the existing
    IETF specifications in this space.

Only specifications targeting constrained node networks are in scope.
6lo will work closely with the 6man working group, which will continue
to work on IP-over-foo documents outside the constrained node network
space and will continue to be the focal point for IPv6 maintenance. For
adaptation layer specifications that do not have implications on IPv6
architecture, 6man will be notified about 6lo's working group last call.
Specifications that might have such an impact (e.g., by using IPv6
addresses in a specific way or by introducing new ND options or by
exposing to IPv6 a link model different from either Ethernet or 6lowpan)
will be closely coordinated with 6man, and/or specific parts will be
fanned out to 6man documents. Beyond 6man, 6lo will also coordinate with
LWIG and INTAREA.

6lo works on small, focused pieces of work, but does not take on larger
cross-layer efforts. The working group will continue to reuse existing
protocols and mechanisms whenever reasonable and possible.

Security and management work that is not specific to the link layers
being worked on is out of scope. Work related to routing is out of
scope. 6lo will coordinate closely with the working groups in other
areas that focus on constrained node networks, such as ROLL (RTG) and
CoRE (APP).